The Impreginator

I didn't even mention the news last week that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver had separated because members of the Kennedy family getting divorced is not exactly news.  However, I think everyone expected there was a backstory to the end of a 25-year marriage...and there was:

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, separated after she learned he had fathered a child more than a decade ago — before his first run for office — with a longtime member of their household staff.

Shriver moved out of the family's Brentwood mansion earlier this year, after Schwarzenegger acknowledged the paternity. The staff member worked for the family for 20 years, retiring in January.

"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said Monday night in a statement issued to The Times in response to questions. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.

Needless to say, had this news come out during his first campaign (during the Gray Davis recall) he never would have won. The LA Times tried running a smear campaign against him, but apparently they just had the wrong kind of smear.